Fleur East Quotes

I'm a believer in things happening for a reason.

It's funny because the perception is that the typical 'X Factor' contestant is the person who's just working 9 to 5 and just decides to one day go and audition. So yeah, for me, it was a very different story.

After my first video, I went out and had chicken noodle soup with my sister and manager. We were like, 'How rock n' roll are we? Celebrating the first video with chicken soup.'

'The X Factor' was the final push I needed to have the presence and confidence on stage, which I didn't have before. It's a crash course in the music industry. If you can survive the show, you're ready for the industry.

I got to the point where I'd featured on songs; I'd done backing singing for major artists. I'd done all these shows, but it was always for other people.

I'd love to write with some people from the U.K., like Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande ... there's a very long list.

I've waited so long to get to this point, and I'm so happy to be making my first album. I want to be a performer and an entertainer.

My mum is from Ghana, and she used to play highlife music in the house, and my dad used to listen to music.

I've been hyper-conscious about staying away from rubbish. I don't eat white bread, white rice or cereal unless it's porridge.

I hated my big hair. I always wore it straight.

My album is very uplifting and positive and fun. That was my mission - to get people up on their feet and escape the seriousness of life.

Even before I auditioned for 'X Factor' the second time, I was doing a lot of dance music.

My mum is black, my dad is white, and when I was a teenager, people would say, 'So what are you? Are you black? Or white? What are you more of?'

I normally hit the gym five times a week. I tend to do half an hour of cardio - on the treadmill or a spin class - then head for the weights. I do a lot of core work, obviously!

I would never totally deny myself any specific type of food.

Just before I auditioned for 'The X Factor,' there was nothing in my diary at all. I had no shows; nothing was happening. It was make-or-break time for me, and I had to consider doing another career altogether.

Before going on 'X Factor' again, I felt like I'd tried everything else.

I used to just sit in the living room and make up songs on the keyboard.

Even writing verses from my first album, there were songs that I didn't use because I just felt that they weren't really for me. But I think that happens naturally when you write songs. You're in a different mood in every session. There's so many songs out there that could potentially be used by other artists.

I do loads of squats with weights. It's great for your bum and legs.

I can't ignore what I grew up listening to. My parents used to listen to Michael Jackson non-stop. They used to listen to Luther Vandross, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder.

I put pressure on myself all the time. I felt it so much with 'Sax,' but I had to just let go and enjoy it.

I'd perform in the mirror; I'd pretend to do interviews. I'd practice my autograph for hours.

I remember, one day, I just printed out about a hundred CVs, and I was running around London. I was going to modeling agencies, temping agencies, anything. I was so desperate.

The attitude among the people I knew was, 'Fleur wants to be a singer' but it was never, 'Go for it. You can do it.' Everyone was cynical because we'd never seen anyone where we came from do it.

Everyone assumes it is just 'Wendy who works at Tesco' who goes to audition for 'X Factor,' and then their lives are changed, wham, like that. Me, I am someone who has tried for years in the music industry.